Portable card punching apparatus

ABSTRACT

A PLURALITY OF PRINTED INFORMATION CARDS IDENTIFYING INFORMATIONAL UNITS ARE POSITIONABLE OVER A DATA PROCESSING CARD AND EACH INCLUDES A SLOTTED PORTION CORRESPONDING TO ONE OF THE ROWS OR COLUMNS ON THE CARD TO FACILITATE REGISTRATION OF INFORMATION ON THE DATA CARD BY A CONVENTIONAL STYLUS. The slotted portion of the printed cards are staggered with respect to each other so that as each printed card is positioned over the data card for recording, a different row or column of the data card is exposed. A plastic template having a plurality of perforations corresponding to the scored portions on the data card is positioned over the card for indexing the stylus. A selector card is positioned over the template beneath the printed cards and selectively shields portions of the data card to prevent accidental or undesired recordings. A Styrofoam cleaning base supports the data card to facilitate positive indexing of the stylus and an enclosing container is provided which also aligns the data card, template and selector card into proper registration. The printed cards are hingedly connected to the enclosure to permit rapid and facile registration of each individual card for informational registration. Each card is detachable from the apparatus after it has been used to permit registration of the next card. A reversible mailer is provided to facilitate ease in sending and returning the apparatus through the mails.

United States Patent Parks et al.

[ 51 July 18,1972

[54] PORTABLE CARD PUNCHING APPARATUS [72] Inventors: Miles E. Parks,1055 Parmelee Avenue, N. W.; Robert J. Scranton, i830 Kenowa Avenue, S.W., both of Grand Rapids, Mich. 49504 [22] Filed: Sept. 10, 1970 [21]Appl.No.: 71,159

Primary Examiner-Frank T. Yost Attorney-Price, l-leneveld, l-luizenga &Cooper [57] ABSTRACT a plurality of printed information cardsidentifying informational units are positionable over a data processingcard and each includes a slotted portion corresponding to one of therows or columns on the card to facilitate registration of information onthe data card by a conventional stylus. The slotted portion of theprinted cards are staggered with respect to each other so that as eachprinted card is positioned over the data card for recording, a differentrow or column of the data card is exposed. A plastic template having aplurality of perforations corresponding to the scored portions on thedata card is positioned over the card for indexing the stylus. Aselector card is positioned over the template beneath the printed cardsand selectively shields portions of the data card to prevent accidentalor undesired recordings. A Styrofoam cleaning base supports the datacard to facilitate positive indexing of the stylus and an enclosingcontainer is provided which also aligns the data card, template andselector card into proper registration. The printed cards are hingedlyconnected to the enclosure to permit rapid and facile registration ofeach individual card for informational registration. Each card isdetachable from the apparatus after it has been used to permitregistration of the next card. A reversible mailer is provided tofacilitate ease in sending and returning the apparatus through themails.

19 Claim, 5 Drawing Figures Patented July 18, 1972 3 Sheets-Sheet lINVENTORS MILES E. PARKS ROBERT J. SCRANTON BY '9 ATTORNEYS Patnted July18, 1972 3,677,453

' a Sheets-Sheet a INVENTOR.

MILES E. PARKS BY ROBERT J. SCRANTON ATTORNEYS Patented July 18, 1972 3Sheets-Sheet 5 2 1 w w. 1 m 2 l w 2 m N H 55 2332mm m/m m H 55. 2,2502%A m v 6 6 7 I =1 35 2.6 L8 203 H/ 55; E $63.5 n

FIG. 4

INVENTORS MILES E. PARKS BY ROBERT J. SCRANTQN WW W ATTORNEYS PORTABLECARD PUNCI-IING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF INVENTION This invention relatesto an apparatus for recording information on a machine processible cardand, more particularly, to a portable device which provides easy andlegible registration of the informational units.

With the advent of machine processible data cards such as the IBM punchcard, information storage requiring voluminous files can now be reducedand stored on such a punch card which requires relatively insignificantstorage space. Thus, seemingly, the use of such cards for manuallyrecording data such as inventory, flow of inventory, surveys, votingcards, etc. would promulgate efficiency in the recording and storage ofthe desired information. This is true particularly where themachine-readable card can be coded at the source" of the informationsought without the necessity of an intermediate key punching step.However, one particular problem that has become apparent is that thebenefit gained by the reduction in size of the data card has in partbeen set off by the reduction in size itself since it essentiallyeliminates legibly identifying each individual informational unit on thecard itself. In addition, present proposals as illustrated by Harris,US. Pat. No. 3,201,038, isued Aug. 17, 1965, while overcoming some ofthe drawbacks indicated, remain relatively complex, cumbersome to handleand expensive.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION It is a principal object of this invention toprovide a portable card punching apparatus which is both simple to useand economical to construct.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device which is not onlyreusable, but can be easily altered for a variety of different types ofuses and applications.

For achievement of these and other objects, this invention includesmeans for enclosing a penetrable base on which is supported a dataprocessing card, a template to facilitate puncturing said card, aselector card for shielding portions of said template and dataprocessing card and means for aligning said template and cards withrespect to each other and said support. In addition, a plurality ofprinted cards conveying the informational units for registration arehingedly connected to one of said means for positioning each individualcard over said selector card. Each card includes a slot whichcorresponds to one of the rows or columns on the data card when the cardis positioned over the selector card. The individual slot on each cardis staggered with respect to the other cards and slots so that as eachcard is positioned over the selector card for recording, a different rowor column of the data card is exposed for registration of theinformational units disclosed on said cards. The cards are detachablymounted to one of said means so that each card after use is removed topermit usage of the next card.

The apparatus permits easy insertion and removal of the data processingcard, template, selector card and printed information cards to permitsignificant flexibility in the use and application of the apparatus.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be made apparent inthe following drawings and specification.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS by this invention for sending and returningthe apparatus by 7 the mails.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A portable card punching andinformation storing apparatus provided by this invention is shown anddescribed in the context of a portable ballot casting apparatus which ismailed to the voter (such as an absentee ballot) and returned to therecorders ofiice for recording along with the apparatus which cansubsequently be reused. While for the sake of description, reference ismade to a ballot apparatus, there is nointent to so limit theapplication of the invention as various and sundry applications areenvisioned such as use of the apparatus for surveys, inventory records,examinations, and the like.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, a ballot card 10 is shown inthe form of a conventional machine data processing card having aplurality of columns 12 arranged longitudinally with respect to thecard. Each column includes a plurality of informational storage portions14 which have a scored portion 16 which, when punched out, with a stylusor other pointed instrument, record the particular information relatedthereto. While data card 10 shown as a plurality of columns 12,laterally extending rows are equally susceptible to use in combinationwith a card. Thus, while the following description deals with a columnarrelationship, it could apply to rows also.

Ballot card 10 is positioned over a support and cleaning base 20 asshown in FIG. 2, base 20 preferably being rigid to give bearing supportwhen the ballot card is punched, but at the same time penetrable by boththe stylus and the punched out card segment to permit facile punching ofthe individual tabs or scored portions 16. A support base comprised ofStyrofoam provides the proper amount of rigidity and penetrability. Inaddition, it is extremely light for mailing and economical in terms ofconstruction.

Ballot card 10 and support base 20 are enclosed in a box 22 (preferablycardboard for purposes of economy and weight) having a pair of closedsides 24, 26, ends 28, 30 and bottom 32. The top 34 is partiallyenclosed at 36, 38 and 40 having two dissimilar sized openings 42 and44. Opening 42 is substantially larger than opening 44 and is definedbetween sides 24, 26 and top portions 36, 38. The area of the openingcorresponds essentially to that portion of ballot card 10 having theplurality of columns and informational registering portions on it. Thesecond opening 44 of top 34 is defined between sides 24, 26 and topportions 38, 40 and is provided to permit insertion of ballot card 10beneath the top portions of the box so that it is positioned firmly onthe Styrofoam base 20. Preferably, the Styrofoam base corresponds to thedimensions of the box and the ballot card 10 corresponds to the boxslength and width so that when ballot card 10 is inserted through opening44 into the box, it is inserted until its bottom end 46 (FIG. 2) abutsagainst end 30 of the box thereby indexing and positioning the ballotcard properly within it. In addition, the card may be provided with oneor more apertures 48 at the top thereof securable to suitable retainerson the unit to further position the card. Alternatively, a gummed sealor stamp may be affixed to the top of the card 10 and the member 40 toinsure proper positioning of the card.

A template 50 is provided for positioning over ballot l0 and includes aplurality of frusto-conical perforations 52 corresponding to each of theportions 14 comprising columns 12 of the ballot. When properly aligned,the narrow sides of the perforations register immediately over tabs orscored portions 16 of the ballot card to facilitate proper puncturing ofthe tabs when the information is registered. Preferably, for purposes ofweight and economy, template 50 is comprised of a rigid plastic. Thus,when a tab 14 is selected for punching to record the casting of a vote,a sharpened pencil or stylus is manipulated into the selected templateperforation, guided to the proper location by the converging walls ofthe perforations and projected through the particular tab 14 into theStyrofoam base to record the vote. The base receives at least portionsof the tab initially causing thestylus pressure to be concentrated onany non-severed portion of the segment to be 5 punched out. The entiresegment is thus separated from the surrounding card, pushed into andretained by the support insuring a clean" aperture for subsequentmachine reading of the recorded information.

Preferably, template 50 is dimensionally designed so that when it isinserted above the ballot card in box 22, the bottom end 54 (FIG. 2)abuts end 30 of the box, its sides abut the sides of the box, and theupper end 56 abuts shoulder 45 formed by folding a section of member 42cut away to form aperture or opening 44 downwardly upon itself andgluing the two members together. Shoulder 45, thus, will extendlaterally the entire width of the unit and the template (and selectorcard to be discussed hereinafter) will be firmly positioned by abutmentwith end 30, sides 24 and 26 and shoulder 45.

In actual practice, since ballot card is removed and replaced repeatedlyfor repeated voting, the ballot card is inserted in opening 44 beneaththe template which remains in the box for the duration of the particularuse intended. With the template in position, the fold forming shoulder45 is preferably folded at opening 44 to facilitate the insertion of theballot beneath the template. If the configuration of the ballot card orpunching card is changed, then a different template will be used withperforations to match the different ballot card. In most instances, theconfiguration of the data processing card 10 and template 50 remain thesame, regardless of the type of data being recorded. It is for thisreason that a selector card 60 (described as follows) is used.

Selector card 60 is positioned over template 50 to shield that portionof the template and data card from being used for recording purposes inconnection with a particular vote or application of the apparatus.Selector card 60 is comprised of an equal number of portions 62corresponding to perforations 52 and portions 14 of the template andballot respectively, portions 62 being arranged in similar rows orcolumns. However, only a selected number of portions 62 are punched outto form holes 64 to permit insertion of the stylus through the templateto record the particular information desired. The reason for this isthat generally, in a given application, only a selected number of tabs16 are presented for puncture by a stylus to record the particular voteor registration of information. Thus, to eliminate accidentalregistration of undesired information which would interfere with theusage of the ballot card, selector card 60 is inserted over the template50 and exposes only those perforations and tabs which are available forvoting. Thus, selector card 60 shields the entire template and data cardexcept for the pre-selected hole 64 punched in the card to correspond tothe pre-selected portions 14 and tabs 16 to be used for the vote.

The length of selector card 60 is preferably designed so that the innerend 66 (FIG. 2) when it is inserted in box 22 abuts against end 30 ofthe box to align the selector card in registration over the template anddata or ballot card 10. The upper end of the selector card should abutshoulder 45 (FIG. 2) and its width should equal the interior width ofbox 22 to firmly position it within the apparatus. Thus selector card 60is preferably equal in size to template 50.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a printed card 70 bearing voting information isshown positioned over the apparatus to permit voting in accordance withthe information thereon. The card includes a single slot 72corresponding to a particular column of the ballot card and hence thetemplate and selector card. Thus, when the informational bearing card ispositioned and aligned over the apparatus, one of the columns 12 isexposed to the voter for purposes of casting a particular vote. Forexample, the card 70 shown in FIG. 4 is entitled a straight partyticket" voting card permitting the voter if he chooses to cast astraight party ticket vote. The various parties are identified onvertical rows 74 with an arrow 76 pointing to the particular hole 64exposing the template perforation and tab to be punctured to cast thatparticular vote. Thus, if the voter desired to vote straight Republican,he would inject the stylus or sharpened pencil into hole 64a to punctureand remove the particular tab positioned under the template. In essence,informational card 70 is a refined selector card in that it furthershields tabs available for voting by limiting the exposed tabs to onecolumn, which particular column would correspond to a particular type ofvote. Thus, with card 70 properly positioned, the voter is limited tovoting in the particular example shown to a straight party ticket voteif so desired. Once a particular vote is cast, the card is removed and adifferent card is positioned for a different vote. Thus, in a typicalpolitical election, the first vote might be that as shown in FIG. 4 (astraight party ticket) with subsequent informational cards representinga vote for the Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidate, thegubernatorial candidate, etc.

In order to facilitate the handling of information cards and also theiralignment and positioning over the selector card, template, and ballotrespectively, a plurality of cards 70a, 70b and 70: (FIGS. 2 and 3) arehingedly mounted to the enclosure box 22 so that each individualinformation card can be manipulated into position over the votingapparatus. In order to provide simple and easy insertion of variousinfonnation cards for use with the voting apparatus, the cards althoughlarger than the selector card, template and ballot (in order tointroduce legible writing pertaining to the vote) are provided with aflange or extended portion of reduced dimensions 78 correspondingdimensionally to end 30 of box 22. By providing a plurality of spacedholes 80 in extended portion 78 and in end 30 of the box, a metal clip82 is removably inserted through the holes and folded over to secure theinformation cards to box 22. A crease 84 where extended portion 78extends from card 70 is provided to permit easy rotation of the cardsabout hinge 84 into or out of position over the voting apparatus.Preferably, hinge or crease 84 is perforated to permit easy separationof the card 70 from the apparatus after the particular vote representedthereon has been cast.

The infonnation card 70a nearest the voting apparatus is the first cardpositioned over the voting apparatus with cards 70b and 70c rotatedcounterclockwise (FIG. 2) onto the table or lap of the voter to exposethe slot in and indieia on card 700. After the vote relating to card 70ahas been cast (or declined) the card is removed by tearing it away fromthe apparatus along the perforated hinge 84 and card 70b is next rotatedclockwise (FIG. 2) into overlying position with respect to the selectioncard, etc. After the vote represented by card 70b has been cast (ordeclined) card 700 and subsequent cards are then used. While theapparatus in FIGS. 2 and 3 show three information cards 70a, 70b and70c, it will be appreciated that any number or one could be useddepending on the particular vote or application.

It should be pointed out, that the individual slot 72 on eachinformation card 70 is laterally staggered or offset with respect to allother card slots, the lateral position of each such slot correspondingto one of the columns 12 on the ballot card. Thus, for each individualvote cast, a different column on the selector card, template and ballotcard is exposed, each column pertaining to the particular vote beingcast.

Referring briefly to FIG. 3, to facilitate easy insertion and removal ofinformation cards into the apparatus, end 30 of box 22 has a lip portion88 which is folded under the Styrofoam support base in the same fashionas a conventional carton is opened and closed. Thus, when all of theinformation cards have been used, end 30 is opened up and the metallicclasp 82 is opened to permit removal of the remaining extended portion78, which are then discarded and a new set of vote information cards 70are installed. It will be appreciated of course that if the votingapparatus as described is used for the casting of absentee ballots, theindividual voter will cast his ballot and return the entire apparatusand ballot back to the recording office in charge of the vote at whichpoint they will replace the apparatus with a fresh supply of voteinformation cards 70 and new ballot card 10.

In order to provide clear and legible printed indicia on printed cards70 to identify the candidates or other informational units, cards 70(70a, 70b, 700, etc.) are preferably wider than the selector card,template and ballot. In the embodiment shown, cards 70 are equal to eachother in width so that a uniform print can be used which is legible.

Since the vote information cards 70 are somewhat larger than the widthof the selector card, template and ballot card and support enclosing box22, an outer box 90 (shown in FIG. 1) is included for providing completesupport on the entire face of the individual vote information cards 70.To achieve this, box 90 (corresponding essentially to the length of box22) includes a pair of closed sides 92, 94; ends 96, 98; and bottom 100.Two lateral support portions 102, 104 provide the requisite support forthe extended portions of the vote information cards with the interiorrecess 106 permitting insertion of the apparatus as shown in FIG. 3 tobe installed in box 90 providing a smooth flush supportable votingapparatus.

Outer box 90 functions additionally to stabilize the interiorcomponents. The lateral supports 102 and 104 with their depending sidesfunction, for example, to retain the inner box 22 and the componentscontained therein in proper geometric configuration despite the use ofrather flexible and inexpensive material. To this end, support portions102 and 104 preferably comprise closed, rectangular tubes of cardboardsuitably secured along the edges of box 90. The ends 96 and 98 of box90, similarly, function to hold the flaps of interior box 22 in closedposition, further assuring proper registry of all components.

A reusable mailing carton 110 is provided with a window 112 for exposingthe senders or addressees address attached or stamped on box 90.Preferably, the senders address (in this case the address of therecorders office) is permanently stamped on the bottom 100 of box 90 sothat it is exposed through window 112 when positioned properly therein.The addressees address is applied by label in the reciprocal position onbottom 100 so that after the voter casts his votes, he reinserts theentire voting apparatus in reciprocal fashion to that received so thatthe recorders office address may be shown.

OPERATION To operate the apparatus, the office administering the votepositions a fresh ballot card beneath the inserted template and selectorcard for use in the particular election to be administered. The propervoting information cards 70 (70a, 70b and 700) are thenaffixed to end 30of box 22, the entire apparatus being inserted in box 90. The device isthen inserted in mailer carton 110 and mailed to the particular voter.The voter takes a sharpened pencil or enclosed stylus, takes the deviceout of the mailer carton and rotates vote information cards 70c and 70bout away from card 70a already in position for voting. The voter thencasts his vote (or declines) pertaining to card 70a and detaches thecard by tearing along the perforated crease 84. Card 70b is thenpositioned for loading and the process is repeated until all of theparticular cards supplied have been detached. After this, the device isinserted back in the mailer carton 110 with the recorders officeofficial address exposed in window 112 and the ballot and card punchingapparatus is returned for reuse by the administering office. Thecombination of the selector card and staggered slots on each individualvote information card prevents accidental registration of undesiredinformation other than that provided for selection by the individualvoter.

The entire apparatus is comprised of paper, cardboard, plastic andStyrofoam, all economically attractive materials and yet the speed,efficiency and reusability features additionally provide a package whichis both legible to the user and feasible to the supplier. The inventionalso lends itself readily to fabrication from more durable componentsdepending upon the particular use to which it is put.

Although but one embodiment has been shown and described, it will beobvious to those having ordinary skill in this art that the details ofconstruction may be modified in a great many ways without departing fromthe unique concepts presented. It is therefore intended that theinvention is limited only by the scope of the appended claims ratherthan by particular details of construction shown, except as specificallystated in the claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows.

1. Apparatus for manually recording information on a machine processiblepunch card having a plurality of scored tab portions arranged in columnsor rows for selective perforation, said apparatus comprising, incombination:

support means for supporting said punch card;

a template positioned over said punch card and having a plurality ofarranged perforations for indexing the insertion of a recording tool toperforate said scored portions;

a selector card positioned over said template to shield selectedperforations and tab portions and having'a plurality of openings, saidopenings being aligned with those of said perforations and scoredportions selected for possible recording; printed information cardpositioned over saidselector card and having a slot corresponding to oneof said columns or rows to permit recording selected informational unitson said punch card and shield the remaining columns or rows, saidprinted card including printed indicia on the face thereof identifyingthe individual informational units being recorded; 1

and means for positioning said punch card, template, selector card andprinted card with respect to each other and said support means so thatsaid scored portions, perforations, openings and slot are properlyaligned for use with said recording tool.

2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein a plurality ofinformation cards are hingedly mounted to said apparatus for rotationinto position over said selector card for recording, each of said cardshaving a slotted portion staggered with respect to each other whenpositioned for recording so that each printed card when used, recordsinformation on a different column or row.

3. The combination according to claim 2 wherein said printed cards aredetachably mounted with respect to said apparatus so that after each ofsaid cards is positioned in said recording position for use, it isremoved to permit the next card to be positioned for recording.

4. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said support means isboth rigid and penetrable to facilitate the insertion of said recordingtool through a selected printed card slot, selector card opening,template perforation and punch card scored tab portion to record aninformational unit, said support means being rigid to provide a solidresistance to saidtab portion so that the entire tab is severed from thepunch card and penetrable to permit injection of said tool and tab intosaid support means to provide a clean severance of said tab.

5. The combination according to claim 4 wherein said support means iscomprised of expanded polystyrene.

6. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said means forpositioning is comprised of a box-like means having two sides, two ends,a bottom and a top for enclosing said support means, said top havingfirst and second openings, said first opening permitting insertion ofsaid punch card beneath said top and above said support means, saidsecond opening exposing said columns or rows of scored tab portions forrecording, said second opening further permitting insertion of saidtemplate and selector card respectively over said punch card and supportmeans.

7. The combination according to claim 6 wherein a plurality of printedinformation cards are hingedly mounted to one of said ends for rotationinto and out of said recording position; said slots on said printedcards being staggered with respect to each other when positioned forrecording so that each printed card, when used, records information on adifferent column or row.

8. The combination according to claim 7 wherein said printed cards aredetachably mounted with respect to said apparatus so that after each ofsaid cards is positioned in said recording position for use, it isremoved to permit the next card to be positioned for recording.

9. The combination according to claim 6 wherein the top portion of saidbox means between said first and second openings includes a shoulderportion on the interior side thereof, said template and selector cardbeing dimensionally equal in length to the distance between saidshoulder and the end of said box on the other side of said secondopening and equal in width to said box so that when said selector cardand template are positioned above said support means, they are indexedand secured for recording.

10. The combination according to claim 6 wherein said printedinformation card is substantially greater in width than said selectorcard, template, punch card, support means and box-like means so thatsaid printed indicia thereon is legible with respect to the selectedinformational units being recorded, and said means for positioning isfurther characterized as comprising a second box-like means having twosides, two ends, and a bottom, said second box-like means including arecessed portion for receipt of said first box-like means to facilitatethe alignment of said cards and template, said second box-like meansincluding a top portion adjacent each side of said recessed portion tosupport the extended width of said printed information cards.

11. Apparatus for manually recording information on a machineprocessible punch card having a plurality of scored tab portionsarranged in columns or rows for selective perforation, said apparatuscomprising, in combination:

support means for supporting said punch cards;

a template positioned over said punch card and having a plurality ofarranged perforations for indexing the insertion of a recording tool toperforate said scored portions;

a plurality of printed information cards hingedly mounted to saidapparatus for rotation into position over said template to shieldselected perforations and tab portions, said cards having a plurality ofopenings, said openings being aligned with those of said perforationsand scored portions selected for possible recordings when said cards arepositioned over said template for recording, said printed cardsincluding printed indicia on the face thereof identifying the individualinformational units being recorded, said printed cards including meansfor detaching them with respect to said apparatus so that after each ofsaid cards is positioned in said recording position for use, it isremoved to permit the next card to be positioned for recording;

and means for positioning said punch card, template and printedinformation card with respect to each other and said support means sothat said scored portions, perforations, and openings are properlyaligned for use with said recording tool.

12. The combination according to claim 11 wherein said means fordetaching said printed cards is comprised of a perforated fold along aportion of said cards to permit tearing said cards away from saidapparatus after use.

13. The combination according to claim 11 wherein said combination isfurther characterized as including a selector card positioned over saidtemplate to shield selected portions and tab portions and having aplurality of openings, said openings being aligned with those of saidperforations and scored portions selected for possible recording; andeach of said printed card openings forming a slot corresponding to oneof said columns or rows to permit recording selected informational unitson said punch card and shield the remaining columns or rows, each ofsaid slots being staggered with respect to each other when positionedfor recording so that each printed card when used, records informationon a different column or row.

14. The combination according to claim 13 wherein said support means isboth rigid and penetrable to facilitate the insertion of said recordingtool through a selected printed card slot, selector card opening,template perforation and punch card scored tab portion to record aninformational unit, said support means being rigid to provide a solidresistance to said tab dportion so that the entire tab is severed fromthe punch car and penetrable to permit in ection of said tool and tabinto said support means to provide a clean severance of said tab.

15. The combination according to claim 14 wherein said support means iscomprised of expanded polystyrene.

16. The combination according to claim 13 wherein said means forpositioning is comprised of a box-like means having two sides, two ends,a bottom and a top for enclosing said support means, said top havingfirst and second openings, said first opening permitting insertion ofsaid punch card beneath said top and above said support means, saidsecond opening exposing said columns or rows of scored tab portions forrecording, said second opening further permitting insertion of saidtemplate and selector card respectively over said punch card and supportmeans.

17. The combination according to claim 16 wherein the top portion ofsaid box means between said first and second openings includes ashoulder portion on the interior side thereof, said template andselector card being dimensionally equal in length to the distancebetween said shoulder and the end of said box on the other side of saidsecond opening and equal in width to said box so that when said selectorcard and template are positioned above said support means, they areindexed and secured for recording.

18. The combination according to claim 16 wherein said printedinfonnation card is substantially greater in width than said selectorcard, template, punch card, support means and box-like means so thatsaid printed indicia thereon is legible with respect to the selectedinformational units being recorded, and said means for positioning isfurther characterized as comprising a second box-like means having twosides, two ends, and a bottom, said second box-like means including arecessed portion for receipt of said first box-like means to facilitatethe alignment of said cards and template, said second box-like meansincluding a top portion adjacent each side of said recessed portion tosupport the extended width of said printed information cards.

19. The combination according to claim 18 wherein said printed cards aredimensionally equal to pennit said legible printed indicia thereon to beuniform in size.

1. Apparatus for manually recording information on a machine processiblepunch card having a plurality of scored tab portions arranged in columnsor rows for selective perforation, said apparatus comprising, incombination: support means for supporting said punch card; a templatepositioned over said punch card and having a plurality of arrangedperforations for indexing the insertion of a recording tool to perforatesaid scored portions; a selector card positioned over said temPlate toshield selected perforations and tab portions and having a plurality ofopenings, said openings being aligned with those of said perforationsand scored portions selected for possible recording; a printedinformation card positioned over said selector card and having a slotcorresponding to one of said columns or rows to permit recordingselected informational units on said punch card and shield the remainingcolumns or rows, said printed card including printed indicia on the facethereof identifying the individual informational units being recorded;and means for positioning said punch card, template, selector card andprinted card with respect to each other and said support means so thatsaid scored portions, perforations, openings and slot are properlyaligned for use with said recording tool.
 2. The combination accordingto claim 1 wherein a plurality of information cards are hingedly mountedto said apparatus for rotation into position over said selector card forrecording, each of said cards having a slotted portion staggered withrespect to each other when positioned for recording so that each printedcard when used, records information on a different column or row.
 3. Thecombination according to claim 2 wherein said printed cards aredetachably mounted with respect to said apparatus so that after each ofsaid cards is positioned in said recording position for use, it isremoved to permit the next card to be positioned for recording.
 4. Thecombination according to claim 1 wherein said support means is bothrigid and penetrable to facilitate the insertion of said recording toolthrough a selected printed card slot, selector card opening, templateperforation and punch card scored tab portion to record an informationalunit, said support means being rigid to provide a solid resistance tosaid tab portion so that the entire tab is severed from the punch cardand penetrable to permit injection of said tool and tab into saidsupport means to provide a clean severance of said tab.
 5. Thecombination according to claim 4 wherein said support means is comprisedof expanded polystyrene.
 6. The combination according to claim 1 whereinsaid means for positioning is comprised of a box-like means having twosides, two ends, a bottom and a top for enclosing said support means,said top having first and second openings, said first opening permittinginsertion of said punch card beneath said top and above said supportmeans, said second opening exposing said columns or rows of scored tabportions for recording, said second opening further permitting insertionof said template and selector card respectively over said punch card andsupport means.
 7. The combination according to claim 6 wherein aplurality of printed information cards are hingedly mounted to one ofsaid ends for rotation into and out of said recording position; saidslots on said printed cards being staggered with respect to each otherwhen positioned for recording so that each printed card, when used,records information on a different column or row.
 8. The combinationaccording to claim 7 wherein said printed cards are detachably mountedwith respect to said apparatus so that after each of said cards ispositioned in said recording position for use, it is removed to permitthe next card to be positioned for recording.
 9. The combinationaccording to claim 6 wherein the top portion of said box means betweensaid first and second openings includes a shoulder portion on theinterior side thereof, said template and selector card beingdimensionally equal in length to the distance between said shoulder andthe end of said box on the other side of said second opening and equalin width to said box so that when said selector card and template arepositioned above said support means, they are indexed and secured forrecording.
 10. The combination according to claim 6 wherein said printedinformation card is substantially greater in width than said selectorcard, template, punch card, Support means and box-like means so thatsaid printed indicia thereon is legible with respect to the selectedinformational units being recorded, and said means for positioning isfurther characterized as comprising a second box-like means having twosides, two ends, and a bottom, said second box-like means including arecessed portion for receipt of said first box-like means to facilitatethe alignment of said cards and template, said second box-like meansincluding a top portion adjacent each side of said recessed portion tosupport the extended width of said printed information cards. 11.Apparatus for manually recording information on a machine processiblepunch card having a plurality of scored tab portions arranged in columnsor rows for selective perforation, said apparatus comprising, incombination: support means for supporting said punch cards; a templatepositioned over said punch card and having a plurality of arrangedperforations for indexing the insertion of a recording tool to perforatesaid scored portions; a plurality of printed information cards hingedlymounted to said apparatus for rotation into position over said templateto shield selected perforations and tab portions, said cards having aplurality of openings, said openings being aligned with those of saidperforations and scored portions selected for possible recordings whensaid cards are positioned over said template for recording, said printedcards including printed indicia on the face thereof identifying theindividual informational units being recorded, said printed cardsincluding means for detaching them with respect to said apparatus sothat after each of said cards is positioned in said recording positionfor use, it is removed to permit the next card to be positioned forrecording; and means for positioning said punch card, template andprinted information card with respect to each other and said supportmeans so that said scored portions, perforations, and openings areproperly aligned for use with said recording tool.
 12. The combinationaccording to claim 11 wherein said means for detaching said printedcards is comprised of a perforated fold along a portion of said cards topermit tearing said cards away from said apparatus after use.
 13. Thecombination according to claim 11 wherein said combination is furthercharacterized as including a selector card positioned over said templateto shield selected portions and tab portions and having a plurality ofopenings, said openings being aligned with those of said perforationsand scored portions selected for possible recording; and each of saidprinted card openings forming a slot corresponding to one of saidcolumns or rows to permit recording selected informational units on saidpunch card and shield the remaining columns or rows, each of said slotsbeing staggered with respect to each other when positioned for recordingso that each printed card when used, records information on a differentcolumn or row.
 14. The combination according to claim 13 wherein saidsupport means is both rigid and penetrable to facilitate the insertionof said recording tool through a selected printed card slot, selectorcard opening, template perforation and punch card scored tab portion torecord an informational unit, said support means being rigid to providea solid resistance to said tab portion so that the entire tab is severedfrom the punch card and penetrable to permit injection of said tool andtab into said support means to provide a clean severance of said tab.15. The combination according to claim 14 wherein said support means iscomprised of expanded polystyrene.
 16. The combination according toclaim 13 wherein said means for positioning is comprised of a box-likemeans having two sides, two ends, a bottom and a top for enclosing saidsupport means, said top having first and second openings, said firstopening permitting insertion of said punch card beneath said top andabove said support means, said second opening exposing said columns orrows of scored tab portions for recording, said second opening furtherpermitting insertion of said template and selector card respectivelyover said punch card and support means.
 17. The combination according toclaim 16 wherein the top portion of said box means between said firstand second openings includes a shoulder portion on the interior sidethereof, said template and selector card being dimensionally equal inlength to the distance between said shoulder and the end of said box onthe other side of said second opening and equal in width to said box sothat when said selector card and template are positioned above saidsupport means, they are indexed and secured for recording.
 18. Thecombination according to claim 16 wherein said printed information cardis substantially greater in width than said selector card, template,punch card, support means and box-like means so that said printedindicia thereon is legible with respect to the selected informationalunits being recorded, and said means for positioning is furthercharacterized as comprising a second box-like means having two sides,two ends, and a bottom, said second box-like means including a recessedportion for receipt of said first box-like means to facilitate thealignment of said cards and template, said second box-like meansincluding a top portion adjacent each side of said recessed portion tosupport the extended width of said printed information cards.
 19. Thecombination according to claim 18 wherein said printed cards aredimensionally equal to permit said legible printed indicia thereon to beuniform in size.